period of projectstarted in September 2009

involved peopleRicardo Langner,
John Brosz,
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Raimund Dachselt and
Prof. Dr. Sheelagh Carpendale

type of projectExtended Student Project

UISE Logo Pfeile InnoVis Logo

Videos

PhysicsBox (on YouTube).

PhysicsBox: Playful Educational Tabletop Games

Software Framework: Java Touch Library (JTL)

The Java Touch Library (JTL) enables applications to run on different tabletop platforms. Based on initial source code provided by Mark Hancock, this library gives developers the freedom to create applications for the SMART Table, the Microsoft Surface and TUIO-based tabletops without adjusting the applications' source code.

Downloads

Requirements

  • Java SE Development Kit (JDK, minimum Version 6)
  • TUIO Java Client
  • Optional: Service for SMART Table
    (by Edward Tse)
  • Optional: Service for Microsoft Surface
    (by Mark Hancock)

Application: PhysicsBox

The goal of this work was to realize and demonstrate the combination of the following aspects.

  • the use of interactive multi-touch tabletops in supporting classroom learning
  • development of appropriate interaction strategies based on the usage of physics simulations

The result of this work is PhysicsBox (see photos on the right), a application bundle of three multi-touch educational games. Based on the 2D physics simulations engine JBox2D each application provides different interaction techniques and game play.

Game 1: Billiards On Ice

Billiards
Billiards
Billiards
Billiards
Billiards
 

Game 2: Bulldozer/Recycling

Bulldozer
Bulldozer
Bulldozer
 

Game 3: Planets

Planets
Planets
 

Publications

  • Vorschaubild

    Langner, R., Brosz, J., Dachselt, R., Carpendale, S.:

    PhysicsBox: Playful Educational Tabletop Games

    Proceedings of the ACM International Conference on Interactive Tabletops and Surfaces (ITS 2010) Saarbrücken, Germany, November 7-10, 2010, ISBN: 978-1-4503-0399-6, pp. 273-274.

    Downloads: Poster Paper (1016KB), Video (25550KB)